Success Stories: Amira's Micro-Dairy and Cheese Project

Amira initially faced resistance from her local community when entering the labor market, restricting her ability to sell food products in her village. She then decided to take her goods to the city center to sell but found transportation often proved difficult. With limited training opportunities to improve her skillset, Amira struggled to secure a sustainable income that would meet her family's needs. The Near East Foundation's vulnerability assessment determined that Amira met the criteria to participate in the project, opening access to the support she needed. NEF provided Amira with a 600 USD cash grant paired with technical training in food processing, marketing techniques, and appropriate methods for storing and preserving food products. The training and grant enabled Amira to increase her food production capacity and establish a small dairy and cheese project. She used savings, grant money, and income from selling her products to buy a cow to produce milk, yogurt, and cheese to diversify her income. The grant from NEF increased Amira's food production capacity, and she appreciated having the opportunity to establish her own micro-dairy and cheese project. Amira's business was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but she adapted by offering a delivery service for customers and ensuring she was using sanitary measures while processing and delivering her product. Highlighting her increased income and the improved standard of living for her and her family, Amira said she can now cover her household expenses and save money to further develop her micro-business. Amira plans to continue developing her skills by attending training courses on dairy and cheese production and processing, marketing approaches, project management, and how to effectively manage finances. Throughout the pandemic, the Near East Foundation has continued to work with entrepreneurs, like Amira, to adapt their business models, develop new skills through training, and expand their businesses with funding from grants. Amira hopes other business owners whose incomes and livelihoods have been impacted by pandemic-related closures and curfews will have the opportunity to access funding from NEF and other non-governmental organizations, as she has, so they may receive the support necessary to recover and prosper.